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Accused gunman was in Irish army | Accused gunman was in Irish army |
(4 days later) | |
One of the men accused of trying to kill a police officer in County Fermanagh was a reserve soldier in the Irish Army, it has been confirmed. | One of the men accused of trying to kill a police officer in County Fermanagh was a reserve soldier in the Irish Army, it has been confirmed. |
Gerard James McManus, from Fern Hill in Letterkenny, County Donegal, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempting to murder a trainee officer. | Gerard James McManus, from Fern Hill in Letterkenny, County Donegal, appeared in court on Wednesday charged with attempting to murder a trainee officer. |
The 26-year-old was arrested after shots were fired during an undercover police operation in Garrison village. | The 26-year-old was arrested after shots were fired during an undercover police operation in Garrison village. |
He was dismissed from the Irish Reserve on Tuesday. | He was dismissed from the Irish Reserve on Tuesday. |
A spokesman for the Irish defence forces said Gerard McManus had joined the Irish Reserve Defence Force in 2000, and was a member of the Carndonagh unit in County Donegal. | A spokesman for the Irish defence forces said Gerard McManus had joined the Irish Reserve Defence Force in 2000, and was a member of the Carndonagh unit in County Donegal. |
The commandant added that Mr McManus had not taken part in training or shown up for parading duties for the last two years. | The commandant added that Mr McManus had not taken part in training or shown up for parading duties for the last two years. |
He explained that reservists undertake training on a voluntary basis and that if they do not report for training for a period of more than 18 months they can be dismissed. | He explained that reservists undertake training on a voluntary basis and that if they do not report for training for a period of more than 18 months they can be dismissed. |
Shots fired | Shots fired |
The commandant said that even before he was arrested, a process had already begun to dismiss Mr McManus as a reservist. | The commandant said that even before he was arrested, a process had already begun to dismiss Mr McManus as a reservist. |
At the court hearing on Wednesday, a defence solicitor asked a detective if it was true Mr McManus had given a version of events in which he said shots had been fired at him, he had fled, and that while doing this, he had fired a shot away from the undercover police officers. | At the court hearing on Wednesday, a defence solicitor asked a detective if it was true Mr McManus had given a version of events in which he said shots had been fired at him, he had fled, and that while doing this, he had fired a shot away from the undercover police officers. |
The detective confirmed that this was the version of events the accused had given. | The detective confirmed that this was the version of events the accused had given. |
Mr McManus was one of two men who were remanded in custody on Wednesday, charged with the attempted murder. | Mr McManus was one of two men who were remanded in custody on Wednesday, charged with the attempted murder. |
Resisting arrest | Resisting arrest |
His co-accused is 32-year-old Kevin Barry Nolan, from Main Street, Blacklion in County Cavan. | His co-accused is 32-year-old Kevin Barry Nolan, from Main Street, Blacklion in County Cavan. |
Mr Nolan stood as independent republican candidate in local council elections in County Fermanagh four years ago. | Mr Nolan stood as independent republican candidate in local council elections in County Fermanagh four years ago. |
The pair were also charged with having a gun and Mr McManus was further charged with using a gun to resist arrest. | The pair were also charged with having a gun and Mr McManus was further charged with using a gun to resist arrest. |
Three other men arrested after the weekend gun attack were released without charge on Monday. | Three other men arrested after the weekend gun attack were released without charge on Monday. |
Two were arrested by the PSNI in Fermanagh and one by Irish police in County Leitrim. | Two were arrested by the PSNI in Fermanagh and one by Irish police in County Leitrim. |
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